Kogarah Historical Society returns with its regular progam of activities next month and is ready to prepare for its 50th anniversary celebrations later this year.
The society will hold its first monthly meeting after lthe COVID-19 lockdown with a talk by by Dr Edith Ziegler on the New Italy of Northern NSW to be held at the Kogarah School of Arts on August 13.
The Carss Cottage Museum will also open its doors on the first Sunday in August with the society's volunteers ready to show the public its unique historical collection and will be open every Sunday from 1pm to 4pm in winter and 1pm to 5pm in summer.
The society's president Gill Whan said their return will be a welcome change with members keen to start planning the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Kogarah Historical Society was formed following the Bicentennial of Cook's arrival at Botany Bay.
The society was the project of Kogarah mayor Fred Kavanagh and Kogarah Bay Progress Association member Doris Hatton and the first meeting was held in the then Kogarah Council chambers in Belgrave Street.
It's aim has been to preserve and promote the history of the region through exhibitions, talks and tours of the Carss Cottage Museum.
"We have a treasure trove of history in our area," Gill said.
For its 50th anniversary, the society is planning a special celebration on November 15.
This will include the opening of an exhibition called Kogarah's Amazing Achievers.
The society's former president, historian Beverley Earnshaw OAM is preparing a book on the history of the society which will also be launched at the exhibition.
One of the most important aspects of society's activities are the regular school tours through the museum.
"The children who come to the museum usually bring their parents back the following week," Gill said.
"They are particularly fascinated by the stuffed bird Cocky Bennett which was a resident of the old Seabreeze hotel and lived to the age of 119 years.
"Cocky Bennett is still with us, albeit stuffed,and has pride of place at Carss Cottage Museum."
Other highlights of the museum's collection includes the fully restored 1880s railway clock from Kogarah Railway Station, and many historical items from the late 1800's early 1900's.
"The museum can give children a wonderful knowledge of their own history," Gill said.
"With children we compare now and then and tell them what it was like to live in the 1800s.
"We tell them there were no electric lights or computers. They gasp when they hear that.
"History makes children think in a different way.
"And hopefully it it makes them appreciate what they have got and where we have all come from."
For details of the Kogarah Historical Society, contact Gill at gillwhan@bigpond.net.au
